The Prince and the Pauper Appearances Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

Six gorgeous gentlemen-servants and two young pages of high degree, clothed like butterflies, sprung to their feet, and bowed low before him. (5.2)

Notice that even the servants are better dressed than Tom ever was. Would this story have turned out differently for Tom if he had switched places with a palace servant?

Quote #5

Somewhat after one in the afternoon, Tom resignedly underwent the ordeal of being dressed for dinner. He found himself as finely clothed as before, but everything different, everything changed, from his ruff to his stockings. (7.1)

This may not seem like a big deal, but earlier Tom mentioned that his family never undresses, because they only have one outfit to wear each. Now he gets dressed in fancy outfits every day, and each time, it's a different outfit.

Quote #6

Now came twelve French gentlemen, in splendid habiliments, consisting of pourpoints of white damask barred with gold, short mantles of crimson velvet lined with violet taffeta, and carnation-colored hauts-de-chausses, and took their way down the steps. (9.4)

There are tons of scenes like this in The Prince and the Pauper, with the narrator telling us all about everything everyone is wearing. Why do you think the narrator focuses on the way people are dressed so much? Does it tell us anything important?